Agenda item - BH2018/03943 - The Old Ship Hotel, 31-38 Kings Road, Brighton - Full Planning

Remodelling of accommodation and extensions to provide an additional 54no bedrooms, leisure facilities and retail units. Works to include demolition of existing garage and erection of six storey extension on Black Lion Street, single storey mansard roof extension on Kings Road, enclosure of existing fire escape on Ship Street, swimming pool and leisure facilities (D2) in internal courtyard, 6no retail units (A1), in-house restaurants (A3), basement parking facilities, external alterations and associated works.

1)    Senior Planning Officer, Sonia Gillam, introduced the application with a presentation detailing the scheme by reference to plans, site plans, photographs, elevational drawings and aerial views showing the site and its boundaries. Reference was also made to the additional representations received detailed in the Late/Additional Representations List.

Questions for Officers

2)    Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty was informed that the assembly rooms, which do not form part of this application, were listed not the remaining building. It was noted that the use of the public art funding or the transport contributions had not been agreed.

3)    Councillor Carol Theobald noted that the site had been the subject of a number of planning permissions and was informed that planning permissions could not be forcibly implemented.

4)    Councillor Leo Littman was informed by the Transport Officer that not all the information required was available and surveys had not been submitted along with the delivery statement for Black Lion Street.

Debate

5)    Councillor Nick Childs supported the application which was considered to create more employment and increase the number of badly needed hotel beds.

6)    Councillor Carol Theobald stated support for the scheme.

7)    Councillor Leo Littman supported the scheme. It was noted that the lack of information for the Transport Officer was a concern and that the area needed some care and attention.

8)    Councillor Joe Miller supported the application as the application would create jobs and attract visitors. Councillor Miller agreed that Black Lion Street needed improving. 

9)    Councillor Daniel Yates felt that the predicted 35% increase in visitors and the proposed gym which would also attract visitors, was to be supported. It was felt that a precedent had already been set by the granting of the previous application. The removal of the garaging in Black Lion Street was seen as an improvement to the area.

Decision

55.2    Resolved: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out below and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject to the Conditions and Informatives as set out hereunder, SAVE THAT should the s106 Planning Obligation not be completed on or before 26 February 2020 the Head of Planning is hereby authorised to refuse planning permission for the reasons set out in section 11 of the report.